What makes the USA tick? Before the 2024 presidential election, Foreign Minister Baerbock is seeking contact with Democrats and Republicans. Her visit will also focus on new technology for climate change.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the importance of the US state of Texas as a location for climate and energy technology companies. Around 150 German companies, particularly from the cleantech sector, are involved here, as are large industrial companies with a long tradition, said the Green politician yesterday evening (local time) in the Texas capital Austin.
There she met Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, who himself is on the right wing within his conservative party.
Baerbock called Texas a “state of extremes in a country of extremes.” Texas still has “one foot in the fossil fuel world of oil and gas”, but on the other hand is a world leader in wind power and solar energy. It was important to her to come to a state in the year before the 2024 US presidential election that was an example of progress and opportunities, but also of social tensions and risks.
Baerbock visits companies in the energy transition sector
Today Baerbock wants to visit a company in the Texas metropolis of Houston that has developed an ammonia storage system – an important technology for the energy transition, according to the Foreign Office. There are more than 4,700 companies from the energy sector operating in Houston, including around 150 from the solar energy industry and 40 wind energy companies.
Minister meets abortion opponents
After her conversation with Governor Abbott, Baerbock said that she had a long exchange with him about continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia. But it was also about questions on which both she, as a European, and many people in the USA had completely different opinions. The Foreign Minister cited gun rights, women’s right to self-determination and the principle of an open and diverse society as examples.
Abbott with restrictive immigration and abortion policies
Abbott has been in office since 2015, and his policies differ radically from Baerbock’s line. Texas, with its more than 2,000 kilometer long border with Mexico, has one of the most restrictive immigration laws of all US states.
Abbott’s legislative initiative allows almost all women and men aged 21 and over to carry firearms in public without a license. In addition, Abbott advocates extremely rigid abortion laws based on ultra-conservative values: abortions are now no longer permitted in Texas, even in cases of rape or incest.
Meeting with the mayor of Houston
Baerbock wants to meet the mayor of Houston, Democrat Sylvester Turner, in the morning (local time). The Federal Foreign Minister is accompanied by Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD). Houston has been a twin city of Leipzig since 1993.
Wichita Falls: Visit to Bundeswehr jet training
In the afternoon, Baerbock travels to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. She wants to visit an Air Force tactical training command there. German jet pilots have been trained in Wichita Falls since 1966. In 1981, the program was expanded to include pilot candidates from other NATO nations. A spokesman for the Foreign Office explained that the training is a practical example of transatlantic cooperation in security and defense policy.
The onward journey to the US capital Washington is planned for the evening. Baerbock wants to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and members of Congress there tomorrow and Friday.
Republican stronghold and economic engine Texas
Texas is located in the south of the USA and is considered one of the Republican strongholds. The state is the second largest in the USA in terms of area after Alaska and is about twice the size of Germany. Behind California, Texas is also number two in terms of population with a good 30 million inhabitants.
More than 40 percent of people in Texas have a Hispanic immigrant background. If Texas were its own state, it would be the ninth largest economy in the world. And as in many places, there are political divides between cities and rural areas: in the 2020 presidential election, large urban areas voted more Democratic and rural regions voted Republican.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
